PhD Position in Computational Biology: using computer modelling to predict the effect of drugs and drug combinations on cancer cells and tumours

A PhD position is available at the Department of Biology. The appointment duration is 3 years with the possibility of 1 year extension with 25% teaching duties in agreement with the department. The position is financed by the NTNU.

Information about the department
The strategy of the Department of Biology is to understand biological processes of life for sustainable use and conservation of the environment. The Department has an interdisciplinary approach to education and research that is deeply rooted in environmental and evolutionary biology as important links between the different sub-disciplines (cell- and molecular biology, systems biology, physiology, ethology, ecology, population genetics, marine biology, aquaculture, biodiversity and environmental toxicology). For more information about the department please go to: www.ntnu.edu/biology.

Project description
Combinations of anti-cancer drugs, tailored to each individual, is expected to improve treatment outcome in cancer patients. NTNU has recently initiated the DrugLogics project (www.DrugLogics-NTNU.org), with the aim to use computer modelling to predict the effect of drugs and drug combinations on cancer cells and tumours. These computational predictions require software tools and logical models of cancer cells, to simulate how molecular interactions determine the response of cells to medicine. These predictions are subsequently tested in the lab, through various experiment types: cell culture, organoids, and patient-derived xenografts.

The DrugLogics NTNU initiative is embedded in the Digital Life Centre at NTNU and comprises 3 projects: COLOSYS, DrugLogics and Crossover Research 2.0, together employing 10 postdocs and PhDs, so candidates will be part of an interdisciplinary group working together on complementary tasks.

The PhD candidate that we will recruit will be co-supervised by PIs from the Department of Biology, Gløshaugen campus; and the Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Øya campus.

Main tasks
- Participate in the development of a computational pipeline that uses logical models to predict drug effects for cancer cells, tumours and patients.
- Participate in the development of data mining tools.
- Work together with wet-lab experimentalists and clinicians to develop new approaches for computer model development and simulations.
- Help design and maintain our projects websites.
- Work on the cutting edge of Computer Science and Medicine to help cure cancer!

Qualifications
We currently seek a talented, enthusiastic and creative scientist with the following qualifications:

- Master in Bioinformatics, with a strong interest in producing new software.
- Excellent programming skills; bioinformatics analysis skills.
- Thorough mathematical understanding, e.g. statistics.
- Eager to apply these skills to model biological systems.
- Team player, motivated and able to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Good communication and networking skills.
- Proactive and forthcoming, able to work independently if needed.

Terms of employment
The appointment of the PhD candidate will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees.

NTNU’s personnel policy objective is that the staff must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent.

The position as PhD is remunerated according to the Norwegian State salary scale. There is a 2% deduction for superannuation contribution.

The application
The application should include:
- CV (including list of publications and relevant former positions)
- Copy of relevant transcripts and diplomas
- Short statement from a former supervisor/tutor/teacher
- Contact information for two references (including email addresses and telephone number)

The working languages will be Norwegian and/or English. Candidates from universities outside Scandinavia and English speaking countries are kindly requested to document English language proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

Applications must be submitted electronically through this page: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/139533/phd-position-in-computational-biology Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered.

The reference number of the position is: NT-88/17

Application deadline: August 1, 2017

More information:
Further information can be obtained from:
Prof. Martin Kuiper, Department of Biology, NTNU
Tel. +47 735 50348
E-mail: [Email Address Removed]

Further information about the Department of Biology can be found at www.ntnu.edu/biology.

More information regarding moving to Trondheim, Norway and working at NTNU can be found at www.ntnu.edu/nirs.